An apparatus for automated membrane washing

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of automatic membrane washing device, including slide rail, reagent bottle and shaking table;Slide rail: its surface is equipped with moving mechanism, the lower end of moving mechanism is equipped with pipettor;Reagent bottle: it is respectively located the downside of slide rail, reagent bottle is installed in cooperation with pipettor;Shaking table: its upper end is equipped with incubation tank, the middle part of incubation tank is equipped with filter plate;Wherein: it further includes control panel, the input end of control panel is electrically connected to external power supply, the input end of pipettor and shaking table is electrically connected to the output end of control panel, this automatic membrane washing device, realize membrane washing process automation, reduce personnel participation, accelerate work efficiency, make the insertion depth of pipettor more accurate when reagent is absorbed, it is convenient to accurately control the volume of reagent used for membrane washing, make the reagent cleaning after membrane washing more thorough, more extensive in application range, improve membrane washing effect.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of molecular interaction experimental technology based on membrane-based solid-phase materials as carriers, specifically to an automated membrane washing device. Background Technology

[0002] Many molecular detection experiments require membrane materials such as NC membranes, PVDF membranes, or nylon membranes as carriers. Before the experiment, the membrane needs to be cleaned with cleaning reagents to avoid the influence of residual stains on the membrane surface on the test results. During the cleaning process, to ensure the cleaning quality, the membrane material needs to be rinsed repeatedly with cleaning reagents. Depending on the membrane material, appropriate cleaning reagents need to be selected. For some high-cost reagents, they also need to be recycled during the cleaning process for easy reuse. In current technologies, the commonly used membrane cleaning method is mostly manual. Personnel use a hand pipette to transfer the cleaning reagent from the reagent bottle to the cleaning tank to clean the membrane material. During the reagent transfer process, the depth of the pipette insertion into the reagent has a significant impact on the volume of liquid transferred. However, because it is a manual operation, the depth of insertion of the pipette into the reagent is not accurate enough, which can easily lead to too much or too little cleaning reagent being drawn, affecting the cleaning quality of the membrane material. Moreover, the membrane cleaning process takes a lot of time and involves a lot of personnel, which greatly reduces the detection efficiency of such experiments. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the existing defects and provide an automated membrane washing device that automates the membrane washing process, reduces human intervention, speeds up work efficiency, makes the insertion depth of the pipette more accurate when drawing reagents, and facilitates accurate control of the volume of reagents used for membrane washing. This can effectively solve the problems in the background art.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: an automated membrane washing device, comprising a slide rail, a reagent bottle, and a shaker;

[0005] Slide rail: Its surface is provided with a moving mechanism, and a pipette is provided at the lower end of the moving mechanism;

[0006] Reagent bottles: These are located on the lower side of the slide rail and are installed in conjunction with the pipette;

[0007] Shaking table: It has an incubation tank at the top and a filter plate in the middle of the incubation tank;

[0008] The system also includes a control panel, whose input terminals are electrically connected to an external power source. The input terminals of the pipette and shaker are both electrically connected to the output terminals of the control panel, enabling the membrane washing process to be automated, reducing human intervention, increasing work efficiency, making the insertion depth of the pipette more accurate when drawing reagents, ensuring the accuracy of the volume of reagent drawn by the pipette, facilitating accurate control of the volume of reagent used for membrane washing, facilitating the processing of reagents after membrane washing, making the cleaning of reagents after membrane washing more thorough, expanding the scope of application, and improving the membrane washing effect.

[0009] Furthermore, the incubation tank includes an incubation tank body and a waste liquid pipe. The incubation tank body is located at the upper end of the shaker, a filter plate is provided in the middle of the incubation tank body, and a waste liquid pipe is provided at the liquid outlet at the left end of the incubation tank body to provide space for membrane washing.

[0010] Furthermore, the incubation tank also includes a recovery tank, which is located in the middle of the right inner wall of the incubation tank body to facilitate the recovery of the washing reagent.

[0011] Furthermore, it also includes an incubation tank cover, a liquid pipe, a waste liquid bottle, a gas pipe, and a vacuum pump. The liquid pipe is connected to the waste liquid pipe, and the outlet of the liquid pipe extends into the interior of the waste liquid bottle. The gas pipe, vacuum pump, and incubation tank cover are respectively installed in conjunction with the waste liquid bottle and the incubation tank body. The input end of the vacuum pump is electrically connected to the output end of the control panel to collect the waste liquid using positive and negative air pressure.

[0012] Furthermore, the moving mechanism includes a reciprocating screw, a sliding plate, and a mounting plate. The reciprocating screw is rotatably connected between two support plates of the slide rail. The outer arc surface of the reciprocating screw is threadedly connected to the sliding plate. The sliding plate is laterally slidably connected to the guide post on the surface of the slide rail. The front end of the sliding plate is vertically slidably connected to the mounting plate. The pipette is set on the lower surface of the mounting plate to facilitate the movement of the pipette.

[0013] Furthermore, the moving mechanism also includes a motor and an electric push rod. The motor is located at the left end of the slide rail, and the end of the motor's output shaft is fixedly connected to a reciprocating lead screw. The electric push rod is located at the front end of the slide plate, and the lower end of the extension end of the electric push rod is fixedly connected to the mounting plate. The input ends of both the motor and the electric push rod are electrically connected to the output end of the control panel to provide power for the movement of the pipette.

[0014] Furthermore, the moving mechanism also includes a measuring cylinder, a slider, a contact sensor, and a spring. The measuring cylinder is disposed on the lower surface of the mounting plate. A slider is vertically slidably connected inside the measuring cylinder. A spring is provided between the upper surface of the slider and the top wall of the measuring cylinder. A support rod is provided in the middle of the top wall of the measuring cylinder. The lower end of the support rod passes through the inside of the spring and is provided with a contact sensor. The output end of the contact sensor is electrically connected to the input end of the control panel to determine the depth of the pipette insertion into the reagent.

[0015] Furthermore, the upper limiting slide plate of the slider is a ceramic limiting slide plate, which seals the lower end of the measuring cylinder.

[0016] Furthermore, the filter plate is a support plate with a pore size ranging from micrometers, suitable for membranes of different materials.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: This automated film washing device has the following advantages:

[0018] 1. This invention uses a pipette combined with negative or positive pressure to remove waste liquid to control the flow of the solution. This not only satisfies the control of the volume and position of reagent movement, but also enables reagent recovery, automates the membrane washing process, reduces human intervention, and speeds up work efficiency.

[0019] 2. When using a pipette to aspirate reagents, the measuring cylinder is inserted into the reagent along with the pipette. As the insertion depth increases, the volume of liquid displaced by the measuring cylinder increases, and the buoyancy exerted by the liquid on the slider increases, causing the slider to move upward against the spring force. When the slider contacts the contact sensor, it is determined that the depth of the pipette insertion into the liquid is within the appropriate range, making the insertion depth of the pipette more accurate when aspirating reagents, ensuring the accuracy of the volume of reagent aspirated by the pipette, and facilitating accurate control of the volume of reagent used for membrane washing.

[0020] 3. The incubation tank of this invention is equipped with waste liquid pipes and recovery tanks on the left and right sides respectively. The left and right tilting is used to realize the outflow of waste liquid and the recovery of reagents, which facilitates the treatment of reagents after membrane washing and makes the cleaning of reagents after membrane washing more thorough.

[0021] 4. The filter plate of the incubation tank of the present invention is a support plate with a pore size ranging from 1 to 1000 micrometers, preferably a support plate with a pore size of 10 to 100 micrometers, which is used to place membranes of different materials. Combined with a negative pressure pump, the washing liquid flows radially through the membrane, making it more widely applicable and improving the membrane washing effect. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall component negative pressure design structure of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the overall component positive pressure design structure of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the moving mechanism of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 4 This is a top view of the incubation tank and reagents of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the negative pressure incubation tank of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the positive pressure incubation tank structure of the present invention.

[0028] In the diagram: 1. Slide rail, 2. Moving mechanism, 21. Motor, 22. Reciprocating screw, 23. Slide plate, 24. Electric push rod, 25. Measuring cylinder, 26. Slider, 27. Contact sensor, 28. Spring, 29. Mounting plate, 3. Pipette, 4. Reagent bottle, 5. Incubator cover, 6. Shaker, 7. Incubator, 71. Incubator body, 72. Waste liquid pipe, 73. Recovery tank, 8. Filter plate, 9. Liquid pipe, 10. Control panel, 11. Waste liquid bottle, 12. Gas pipe, 13. Vacuum pump. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0030] Please see Figure 1-6 This embodiment provides a technical solution: an automated membrane washing device, including a slide rail 1, a reagent bottle 4 and a shaker 6;

[0031] Slide rail 1: Its surface is equipped with a moving mechanism 2, and the lower end of the moving mechanism 2 is equipped with a pipette 3 for moving reagents used for washing membranes. The moving mechanism 2 includes a reciprocating screw 22, a sliding plate 23, and a mounting plate 29. The reciprocating screw 22 is rotatably connected between two support plates of slide rail 1. The outer arc surface of the reciprocating screw 22 is threadedly connected to the sliding plate 23. The sliding plate 23 is laterally slidably connected to the guide post on the surface of slide rail 1. The front end of the sliding plate 23 is vertically slidably connected to the mounting plate 29. The pipette 3 is disposed on the lower surface of the mounting plate 29. The moving mechanism 2 also includes a motor 21 and an electric push rod 24. The motor 21 is disposed at the left end of slide rail 1. The output shaft of motor 21 is fixedly connected to reciprocating screw 22. Electric actuator 24 is located at the front end of slide plate 23. The lower end of the telescopic end of electric actuator 24 is fixedly connected to mounting plate 29. The input ends of motor 21 and electric actuator 24 are electrically connected to the output end of control panel 10. When motor 21 is started, its output shaft drives reciprocating screw 22 to rotate. Through the threaded connection between reciprocating screw 22 and slide plate 23, and guided by slide rail 1, slide plate 23 causes mounting plate 29 and pipette 3 to slide left and right, aligning pipette 3 with the vertical position of reagent bottle 4. Then, electric actuator 24 is started, and the electric actuator... The telescopic end of rod 24 drives the mounting plate 29 and pipette 3 to move downwards. The moving mechanism 2 also includes a measuring cylinder 25, a slider 26, a contact sensor 27, and a spring 28. The measuring cylinder 25 is located on the lower surface of the mounting plate 29. The slider 26 is vertically slidably connected inside the measuring cylinder 25. A spring 28 is provided between the upper surface of the slider 26 and the top wall of the measuring cylinder 25. A support rod is provided in the middle of the top wall of the measuring cylinder 25. The lower end of the support rod passes through the interior of the spring 28 and is provided with a contact sensor 27. The output ends of the contact sensor 27 are electrically connected to the input ends of the control panel 10. The pipette 3 and the measuring cylinder 25 are inserted together into the reagent bottle. Inside the liquid in 4, the ceramic limiting slide plate at the upper end of the slider 26 seals the lower end of the measuring cylinder 25, preventing the liquid from entering. As the insertion depth increases, the volume of liquid displaced by the measuring cylinder 25 increases, and the buoyancy exerted by the liquid on the slider 26 increases, causing the slider 26 to move upward against the elastic force of the spring 28. When the slider 26 contacts the contact sensor 27, it is determined that the depth of the pipette 3 inserted into the liquid is within the appropriate range. The limiting slide plate at the upper end of the slider 26 is a ceramic limiting slide plate, which seals the lower end of the measuring cylinder 25, allowing the reagent to enter the measuring cylinder 25 and ensuring that the reagent exerts buoyancy on the slider 26.

[0032] Reagent bottle 4: It is located on the lower side of slide rail 1. Reagent bottle 4 is installed in conjunction with pipette 3 to store reagents for washing membranes.

[0033] Shaker 6: An incubation tank 7 is located at its upper end. The shaker 6 drives the incubation tank 7 to shake up and down or horizontally at a set frequency for a set time, allowing the liquid reagent to clean the membrane on the surface of the filter plate 8. The filter plate 8 is located in the middle of the incubation tank 7. The filter plate 8 is a support plate with a pore size ranging from 1 to 1000 micrometers, preferably 10 to 100 micrometers, providing support for the placement of the membrane. The device also includes a control panel 10. The input of the control panel 10 is electrically connected to an external power source to control the start and stop of the entire device. The inputs of the pipette 3 and the shaker 6 are both electrically connected to the output of the control panel 10. The incubation tank 7 includes an incubation tank body 71 and waste liquid. The incubation tank 71 is located at the upper end of the shaker 6. A filter plate 8 is located in the middle of the incubation tank 71. A waste liquid pipe 72 is located at the outlet on the left end of the incubation tank 71. The incubation tank 7 also includes a recovery tank 73, which is located in the middle of the right inner wall of the incubation tank 71. When it is necessary to recover the washing reagent, the incubation tank 71 is tilted to the right by the shaker 6, causing the reagent in the incubation tank 71 to concentrate inside the recovery tank 73, facilitating reagent recovery. The incubation tank also includes an incubation tank cover 5, a test liquid pipe 9, a waste liquid bottle 11, a gas pipe 12, and a vacuum pump 13. The test liquid pipe 9 is connected to the waste liquid pipe 72, and the outlet of the test liquid pipe 9 extends into the air. Inside the waste liquid bottle 11, the gas pipe 12, vacuum pump 13, and incubation tank cover 5 are respectively installed in conjunction with the waste liquid bottle 11 and the incubation tank 71. The input end of the vacuum pump 13 is electrically connected to the output end of the control panel 10. When liquid reagents do not need to be recycled, depending on the recycling method, when negative pressure recycling is used, the air inlet of the vacuum pump 13 is connected to the gas pipe 12, and the air inlet of the gas pipe 12 extends into the interior of the waste liquid bottle 11. At this time, the vacuum pump 13 is started, so that the interior of the waste liquid bottle 11 is in a low-pressure state, and the liquid pipe 9, which is sealed to the waste liquid bottle 11, is also in a low-pressure state. At the same time, the shaker 6 drives the incubation tank 71 to tilt to the left. The reagent in the incubation tank 71 enters the waste liquid pipe 72. Under the action of external atmospheric pressure, the reagent in the incubation tank 71 enters the waste liquid bottle 11 through the waste liquid pipe 72. When using positive pressure for recovery, the upper end of the incubation tank 71 is sealed by the incubation tank cover 5. The outlet of the vacuum pump 13 is connected to the gas pipe 12, and the outlet of the gas pipe 12 is connected to the inlet of the upper end of the incubation tank cover 5. At this time, the vacuum pump 13 is started, so that the inside of the incubation tank 71 is in a positive pressure state. The incubation tank 71 tilts to the left. Under the action of air pressure, the reagent inside the incubation tank 71 enters the waste liquid bottle 11 through the waste liquid pipe 72.

[0034] The top view of the reagent bottle position and the incubation tank position in this invention is as follows: Figure 4 As shown, the white areas are reagent bottle positions, and the shaded areas are incubation tank positions. Depending on different needs, it can be designed with other numbers such as single incubation tank, two incubation tanks, four incubation tanks, and six incubation tanks; the positions can also be fine-tuned according to different needs.

[0035] The working principle of the automated membrane washing device provided by this invention is as follows: During membrane washing, the membrane is placed on the surface of the filter plate 8. The motor 21 is started through the control panel 10. The output shaft of the motor 21 drives the reciprocating screw 22 to rotate. Through the threaded connection between the reciprocating screw 22 and the slide plate 23, under the guidance and support of the slide rail 1, the slide plate 23 drives the mounting plate 29 and the pipette 3 to slide left and right, so that the pipette 3 corresponds to the vertical position of the reagent bottle 4. Then, the electric push rod 24 is started. The telescopic end of the electric push rod 24 drives the mounting plate 29 and the pipette 3 to move down, so that the pipette 3 and the measuring cylinder 25 are inserted into the liquid in the reagent bottle 4. The ceramic limiting slide plate at the upper end of the slider 26 is used to control the liquid. The lower end of the measuring cylinder 25 is sealed to prevent liquid from entering. As the insertion depth increases, the volume of liquid displaced by the measuring cylinder 25 increases, and the buoyancy exerted by the liquid on the slider 26 increases, causing the slider 26 to move upward against the elastic force of the spring 28. When the slider 26 contacts the contact sensor 27, it is determined that the insertion depth of the pipette 3 into the liquid is within the appropriate range. Then, it is started, using the pipette 3 to draw a set volume of liquid reagent, and as the pipette 3 moves, the drawn liquid reagent is released into the incubation tank 71. At the same time, the shaker 6 is started, and the shaker 6 drives the incubation tank 71 to shake up and down or horizontally at a set frequency for a set time, so that the liquid reagent can react with the surface of the filter plate 8. After the membrane is cleaned, when liquid reagent needs to be recovered, the shaker 6 tilts the incubation tank 71 to the right, concentrating the reagent in the incubation tank 71 into the recovery tank 73. Then, the liquid reagent of a set volume in the recovery tank 73 is transferred to the reagent bottle 4 using the pipette 3. When liquid reagent recovery is not required, depending on the recovery method, when negative pressure recovery is used, the air inlet of the vacuum pump 13 is connected to the air pipe 12, and the air inlet of the air pipe 12 extends into the interior of the waste liquid bottle 11. At this time, the vacuum pump 13 is started, so that the interior of the waste liquid bottle 11 is in a low-pressure state, and the liquid pipe 9, which is sealed to the waste liquid bottle 11, is also in a low-pressure state. At the same time, the shaker 6 tilts the incubation tank 71 to the right, concentrating the reagent in the recovery tank 71 into the recovery tank 73. Then, the shaker 6 tilts the incubation tank 71 to the right, concentrating the reagent in the recovery tank 73 into the recovery tank 73. Then, the liquid reagent in the recovery tank 73 is transferred to the reagent bottle 4. When liquid reagent recovery is not required, the shaker 6 tilts the incubation tank 71 to the right, concentrating the reagent in the recovery tank 73 into the recovery tank 73. Then, the liquid reagent in the recovery tank 73 is transferred to the reagent bottle 4. When liquid reagent recovery is used, the shaker 6 tilts the incubation tank 71 to the right, concentrating the reagent in the recovery tank 73 into the recovery tank 4. Then, the shaker 6 tilts the incubation tank 71 ... Bed 6 tilts the incubation tank 71 to the left, allowing the reagent inside the incubation tank 71 to enter the waste liquid pipe 72. Under the action of external atmospheric pressure, the reagent inside the incubation tank 71 enters the waste liquid bottle 11 through the waste liquid pipe 72. When using positive pressure for recovery, the upper end of the incubation tank 71 is sealed by the incubation tank cover 5. The outlet of the vacuum pump 13 is connected to the gas pipe 12, and the outlet of the gas pipe 12 is connected to the inlet at the upper end of the incubation tank cover 5. At this time, the vacuum pump 13 is started, so that the inside of the incubation tank 71 is in a positive pressure state. The incubation tank 71 tilts to the left, and under the action of air pressure, the reagent inside the incubation tank 71 enters the waste liquid bottle 11 through the waste liquid pipe 72.

[0036] It is worth noting that the control panel 10 disclosed in the above embodiments can be a 6AV2123-2MB03-0AX0 model control panel. The pipette 3, shaker 6, vacuum pump 13, motor 21, electric actuator 24 and contact sensor 27 can be freely configured according to the actual application scenario. The pipette 3 can be a TPH01-R model pipette, the shaker 6 can be a THZ-300 model shaker, the vacuum pump 13 can be a PM24407-86 model vacuum pump, the motor 21 can be a 3M57-42A model stepper motor, the electric actuator 24 can be an ANT-52 model electric actuator, and the contact sensor 27 can be an M109-RM model contact sensor. The control panel 10 controls the operation of the pipette 3, shaker 6, vacuum pump 13, motor 21, electric actuator 24 and contact sensor 27 using methods commonly used in the prior art.

[0037] The above are merely embodiments of the present invention and do not limit the patent scope of the present invention. Any equivalent structural or procedural transformations made based on the content of the present invention specification and drawings, or direct or indirect applications in other related technical fields, are similarly included within the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automated membrane washing device, characterized in that: Includes slide rail (1), reagent bottle (4) and shaker (6); Slide rail (1): Its surface is provided with a moving mechanism (2), and the lower end of the moving mechanism (2) is provided with a pipette (3); Reagent bottle (4): It is located on the lower side of slide rail (1), and the reagent bottle (4) is installed in conjunction with pipette (3); Shaking bed (6): It is provided with an incubation tank (7) at its upper end, and a filter plate (8) is provided in the middle of the incubation tank (7); Among them: it also includes a control panel (10), the input end of which is electrically connected to an external power source, and the input ends of the pipette (3) and the shaker (6) are both electrically connected to the output end of the control panel (10); The moving mechanism (2) includes a reciprocating screw (22), a slide plate (23) and a mounting plate (29). The reciprocating screw (22) is rotatably connected between two support plates of the slide rail (1). The outer arc surface of the reciprocating screw (22) is threadedly connected to the slide plate (23). The slide plate (23) is laterally slidably connected to the guide post on the surface of the slide rail (1). The front end of the slide plate (23) is vertically slidably connected to the mounting plate (29). The pipette (3) is set on the lower surface of the mounting plate (29). The moving mechanism (2) also includes a motor (21) and an electric push rod (24). The motor (21) is located at the left end of the slide rail (1). The output shaft of the motor (21) is fixedly connected to the reciprocating screw (22). The electric push rod (24) is located at the front end of the slide plate (23). The lower end of the telescopic end of the electric push rod (24) is fixedly connected to the mounting plate (29). The input ends of the motor (21) and the electric push rod (24) are both electrically connected to the output end of the control panel (10). The moving mechanism (2) also includes a measuring cylinder (25), a slider (26), a contact sensor (27), and a spring (28). The measuring cylinder (25) is located on the lower surface of the mounting plate (29). The slider (26) is vertically slidably connected inside the measuring cylinder (25). A spring (28) is provided between the upper surface of the slider (26) and the top wall of the measuring cylinder (25). A support rod is provided in the middle of the top wall of the measuring cylinder (25). The lower end of the support rod passes through the inside of the spring (28) and is provided with a contact sensor (27). The output end of the contact sensor (27) is electrically connected to the input end of the control panel (10). The limiting slide plate at the upper end of the slider (26) is a ceramic limiting slide plate.

2. The automated film washing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The incubation tank (7) includes an incubation tank body (71) and a waste liquid pipe (72). The incubation tank body (71) is located at the upper end of the shaker (6). A filter plate (8) is provided in the middle of the incubation tank body (71). A waste liquid pipe (72) is provided at the outlet of the left end of the incubation tank body (71).

3. The automated film washing device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The incubation tank (7) also includes a recycling tank (73), which is located in the middle of the right inner wall of the incubation tank body (71).

4. The automated film washing device according to claim 2, characterized in that: It also includes an incubation tank cover (5), a liquid pipe (9), a waste liquid bottle (11), an air pipe (12), and a vacuum pump (13). The liquid pipe (9) is connected to the waste liquid pipe (72), and the outlet of the liquid pipe (9) extends into the interior of the waste liquid bottle (11). The air pipe (12), the vacuum pump (13), and the incubation tank cover (5) are respectively installed in conjunction with the waste liquid bottle (11) and the incubation tank body (71). The input end of the vacuum pump (13) is electrically connected to the output end of the control panel (10).

5. The automated film washing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The filter plate (8) is a support plate with a pore size ranging from 1 to 1000 micrometers.

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